If you're a Saints fan, you can only hope that things will go up from what we saw against the Falcons. I truly think that was an anomaly for the Saints defense, and we will see the norm against the Browns.

I know people want to flush the disappointing 568 yard performance, but we have to keep talking about it until it's fixed. We're not the only ones who keep bringing it up. Kenny Vaccaro says he's having a hard time sleeping after watching the tape. A lot of the other guys keep bringing up the word "tackling," which is the big emphasis going into this Sunday's game. Junior Galette is taking it to heart that he didn't get enough pressure last week on Matt Ryan. He said, "You can put it on me, but we will get better."

All right, now it's time to move on to another road game in Cleveland against the Browns. When you look at this game on paper, this should be a win. The Saints have better players and coaching. This shouldn't be close, but as we know, nothing is ever easy on the road.

Last week, the Browns looked dead in the water against the Steelers. The Browns were trailing 27-3, and I started to think the Saints will crush them when they play. But something happened in the second half. Brian Hoyer helped lead a comeback with running backs Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. Cleveland tied it at 27 before losing on a game-winning field goal. That showed me this young team has a lot of fight even though they don't have much experience. If the Saints defense decides to not hold another lead on the road again, we could see groundhog, but this time in Cleveland.

I think Hoyer is a good quarterback. Last week he showed me that he deserves to be the starter over Jonathan Football. It's gonna be a tough assignment to keep Hoyer flustered. He likes to move outside the pocket, and that's not good for a defense that struggled to contain Matt Ryan from doing the same.

If the defense can keep Cleveland one dimensional, then they will be in good shape. I know you could say that about every game, but what I'm trying to say is take the ball out Hoyers hands.

If I'm the Saints, I would want Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell trying to beat me. Well, maybe not after watching what those two rookies did last week in Pittsburgh. Crowell had a couple touchdowns, while West finished with a 100 yards rushing. They obviously can't let them get close to that production once again.

On top of those guys, the Saints may have to worry about Johnny Manziel getting in on certain packages. He didn't get a snap last week, but don't be shocked if Mike Pettine uses him in a change up mode to fool the Saints, or to maybe give the Browns a spark. I do think the Saints will be ready for any surprises.

Drew Brees and the Saints offense will do what they've always done and that's move the ball up and down the field to score points. I will say the Cleveland defense is a little better than Atlanta's defense. They will go after Brees more with blitzes and have better defensive backs. However, I don't think that will make a difference with nine under center -- especially after losing last week.

Now, I said they can score on any defense, but will it be field goals or touchdowns?

I think they missed out a couple times last week on the first two drives. They needed to get at least one touchdown instead of two Shayne Graham field goals. Those points are huge on the road. Brees also threw an interception in the end zone which should've lead to at least three points. Brees is always the first guy to take blame on the lost saying they could've done more. Outside of that interception and converting one of those field goals to a touchdown, they were good.

I see Brees having a Brees-like game this week. I think he needed that one game list week to warm up. Remember he played in only one preseason game. I think he will be on fire, connecting on 75 percent of his passes for 315 yards and three scores. He will find a way to avoid Joe Haden and pick on the other defensive backs.

If they can be balanced like they were against the Falcons, I think they will win big. The Browns let Le'Veon Bell rush for 109 yards and a touchdown. I'm not saying the Saints need a 100-yard rusher, but just get 110-125 yards on the ground. The trio of Ingram, Robinson, and Thomas helped put up 140 yards rushing. I'm just saying get close to that this week and they will be good.

Picks to click

On offense, I will go with Marques Colston. No guy felt sicker last week than Colston after fumbling that ball in overtime. I think Brees will go to him to show that he's still his guy, and has confidence in No. 12's hands. I will say he has 6 receptions for 90 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, I will go with the defensive line that only had one sack against the Falcons. Junior Galette, Cam Jordan, Akiem Hicks and company will look like the line that was part of a 49 sack effort from last season. I say as a whole, the Saints will have 6 sacks and 1 forced fumble.

The Browns go into this game pretty banged up. Running back Ben Tate is out with a sprained knee, tight end Jordan Cameron is day-to-day with a shoulder injury, and defensive linemen Barkevious Mingo and Desmond Bryant could also be sidelined with injuries. Certainly no recipe for success for the Browns, but one for the Saints.

I know it's the home opener for Cleveland, but the Browns have lost eight straight games. I'll say with all the injuries, lack of experience and the Saints just being a flat out better team, that losing streak will extend to nine in a row.